Moyamba District

January 4 & 5 2014

Fambul Tok is working under a grant from the US State Department to educate the communities regarding women’s and children’s rights in the 6 of the 14 Sierra Leone districts where Fambul Tok is active.  The project is titled: Global Women, Peace, and Security Initiative even though it covers both women and children.

There are Sierra Leone Government Acts established in 2007 to address these subjects, but they have not been enforced to an acceptable level.  Nor have the communities been educated about the Acts or how to get help to enforce them.

Sadly, rapes and beatings of women and children in the home, the communities and schools is still wide spread.  Even the teachers can be flogged by the administrators and their peers. Men and youths fight in the communities and can be marginalized by their peers and not protected by authorities.  The handicapped are marginalized and their needs not met. Most of them beg for a living.

This educational program is designed to point out what is considered domestic violence, community violence, child abuse, sexual abuse, sexual harassment, and psychological abuse, by listing them and giving examples of all.  

It also covers many women’s rights such as the right to have their marriage registered so they are protected under the law when the husband dies or if he leaves her.  In the past the husband could refuse to register the marriage, but the new law allows the wife to register the marriage by producing a witness stating the couple is married. As you can imagine when this was covered in the meeting it created  many questions and much dialog. 

Children’s rights are part of the program such as the right to be heard, educated, fed, provided with medical care, clothed, respected, kept safe from abuse of all kinds, etc.  One of the women participants gave a talk about her experiences as a child and how it effected her life.  I will tell that story in another blog. 

Training Location

The first step in the process is the Training Of Trainers (TOT).  This takes place at a district level. Representatives from each Section in each Chiefdom are selected to attend the two day training.  We are here in Moyamba to conduct this training.  This is the last district to be covered and Micheala has scheduled it so I can observe the training package Fambul Tok has developed before going out to the Chiefdoms to witness the Chiefdom and Stakeholders (police, community programs etc.) Dialogs which is the next step.

At one point on our journey to Moyamba we stop to collect Lillian who comes from Kono District and will be a part of the session in Moyamba.  Lillian and I were together last year and she is surprised and delighted to see me as I am of her.  She is the one who taught me African dancing and I look forward to dancing with her and  the women again.

She does not disappoint because before the meeting starts the first day we all dance with even some of the men joining us!  Coupled with her teachings, my other dancing experience last year and our mutual love of dancing, I am able to follow her and dance, as she put it later, like a real African!!!! In one of the dances I anticipate some new moves and execute them precisely to the amazement of her and the women.  It just flowed from me and was not something I was aware I was doing at the time.  Such is a connection of the heart.

The two days spent in Moyamba at this training is a wonderful beginning to my journey.  The Fambul Tok team is spectacular in their presentation.  The subject matter is extensive and a lot to absorb.  Because of this Fambul Tok is dividing the Chiefdoms into four zones. 

Zones Deciding Committee Members

Each zone will have a team of five women and five men to serve the communities in ongoing education and administration of the process.  From each of the zone teams four women and four men are chosen to represent their district at the Fambul Tok International Office in Freetown.  In addition Fambul Tok is establishing local reference centers where the exact components of the laws can be found.

Next I travel to PuJoune, the newest district working with the FambulTok process, where we will begin the Chiefdom and Stakeholder Dialogs.

In the meantime I am in Bo for two days at a lovely new hotel with a swimming pool, internet and large room.  It is a great example of the progress Sierra Leone is beginning to enjoy after last year’s peaceful election.

Swimming Pool Dohas Hotel In Bo

Much Love To You All,

Mom/Grandma/Sara